The best pint of Guinness in Ireland isn’t one thing: it might be beside the Atlantic, before a big match, or in a pub that’s been pulling pints for almost 200 years.
The BEST Pint of Guinness in Ireland According to Locals might well be found in one of these pubs.
You might hear a very confident name. You might get a dismissive “Ah, sure, there’s a place in my town…” Or, if you’re really lucky, you’ll get the name of a pub you’ve never heard of.
So, rather than pretending there is one definitive winner, we’ve rounded up some of the best types of Guinness you can have around Ireland.
The Beach Bar, Sligo – the best pint of Guinness with a sea view
There are plenty of pubs in Ireland where you can enjoy a pint overlooking the water, but few settings quite match The Beach Bar in Aughris, County Sligo.
This old thatched pub sits above Sligo Bay, with views stretching towards the Atlantic and the Dartry Mountains. It is exactly the kind of place where you can walk in for one pint and suddenly find yourself wondering whether you’ve actually got anywhere else to be.
The pub has long been celebrated for its spectacular coastal setting, and Ireland Before You Die has previously included it among Ireland’s most scenic places for a pint of Guinness.
Address: The Beach bar, Aughris, Templeboy, Co. Sligo, F91 YE98
McGann’s, Doolin – the best pint on a road trip
There is something uniquely satisfying about arriving at a proper Irish pub after several hours on the road.
McGann’s in Doolin is an excellent example. Situated in one of Ireland’s most famous traditional-music villages, it makes an ideal stop when exploring the Wild Atlantic Way and the Clare coast.
Doolin has plenty of pubs competing for attention, but McGann’s has the atmosphere and the pints to make the journey worthwhile.
Address: Teergonean, Doolin, Co. Clare, V95 TKF8
The Bridge Tavern, Dublin – the best before a big match
There are few things more Irish than a pint before a match. Around Croke Park, the pre-match pint is practically part of the ritual. The streets fill with jerseys, county colours, and increasingly confident predictions about what is about to happen on the pitch.
The Bridge Tavern is one of the traditional stopping points for those heading towards the stadium, making it a particularly good choice when the place is buzzing with match-day anticipation.
It just needs to be the best pint of Guinness consumed at exactly the right moment.
Address: 6 Summerhill Parade, Dublin 1, D01 YY62
The Brazen Head, Dublin – the best for history buffs
If your Guinness comes with a side order of Irish history, few pubs can compete with The Brazen Head.
The pub claims roots stretching back to 1198 and has become one of Dublin’s most famous historic drinking establishments. Over the centuries, its walls have been associated with some of the country’s best-known literary and political figures.
There’s something undeniably enjoyable about sitting down with a pint and contemplating the fact that generations of Dubliners have been doing essentially the same thing for centuries.
Just don’t start telling everyone at the bar that you’re drinking in Ireland’s oldest pub. You may not make it to your second pint.
Address: 20 Bridge St. Lower, Usher’s Quay, Dublin, D08 WC64
John Kavanagh’s, The Gravediggers – the best pint of Guinness in an actual classic pub
If we’re talking about the best pint of Guinness in Ireland, sooner or later someone is going to mention The Gravediggers. And they have a point.
John Kavanagh’s, beside Glasnevin Cemetery, dates back to 1833 and has retained the wonderfully old-fashioned character that makes traditional Irish pubs so special.
It has even featured prominently in previous discussions of Ireland’s best Guinness, with devotees regularly putting it near the very top of the list.
Address: 1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin, Dublin, D09 CF72
The Cobblestone, Dublin – the best pint of Guinness with traditional music
A pint of Guinness and traditional Irish music are two things that were practically designed to be enjoyed together.
The Cobblestone in Smithfield is one of Dublin’s best-known pubs for traditional music, with sessions forming a major part of its identity. Come for the music, order the Guinness, and let the room do the rest.
Address: 77 King St N, Smithfield, Dublin, D07 TP22
The Curragower, Limerick – the best pint of Guinness with dinner
If you want to prove that Guinness isn’t merely a drink to accompany a packet of crisps, head to Limerick.
The setting alone makes this one worth seeking out, with views towards King John’s Castle and the river. Add a proper meal and a pint of Guinness, and you’ve got the sort of Irish pub experience that can happily occupy an entire afternoon.
It is also a reminder that some of the best pints aren’t about drinking in isolation. They’re about everything else happening around the glass.
Address: Clancy’s Strand, Deanery Land, Limerick, V94 KT21
So, where is the best pint of Guinness in Ireland?
The annoying answer is that there isn’t one. And that’s exactly what makes the search so much fun.
The best Guinness in Ireland might be the pint overlooking the Atlantic after a long drive. It might be the one before an All-Ireland semi-final. It might be the pint pulled in a pub that has been doing things the same way for generations.
Or it may simply be the pint that lands in front of you after a long day, looks like a miniature work of art and makes you think: Janey, that’s some pint.
Because when it comes to Guinness, the pub matters. And sometimes, the best pint of Guinness in Ireland is simply the one you happen to be drinking right now.
